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treating of another honey-dew, which falls from trees on 
the ground, but which never falls from a greater height 
than the leaves of the trees; and which is a new proof that 
this first species of liquid manna, comes not from heaven, 
nor the clouds, like mist; because it would then sprinkle 
indifferently all sorts of bodies, and would not affect some — 
_ particular vegetables, and even some parts of the same 
_ vegetable, to the exclusion of every other. : 
It is true—and it is the only objection which presents. 
_ itself{—it is true that the dew, according to the experi- 
' ments of M. Dufay, is attracted by certain bodies, when it 
is not so by others. But it is known that this meteor, 
which most frequently rises from the ground, floats con- 
tinually in the air, subject to the least breath and to the 
weakest attraction, and often attaches to the under, as well 
as the upper sides of the leaves of trees. If it fell like 
mist, it would moisten indifferently all bodies. ‘The accele- 
ration of its fall would cause it to surmount the obstacle 
‘of little repulsions which it might meet in its way. It will 
be seen in the sequel of these observations, that honey-dew, 
reduced to very minute drops by another very natural 
way, and which I believe hitherto unknown, shows no pre- 
dilection, in its fall, to one sort of body in preference to. 
another, but adheres to all alike. ‘ 
_ The ancient naturalists, of whom historians are the 
echos, have for a long time amused their credulous readers 
with showers of blood, and of other matters more solid. 
That of honey-dew, which partakes less of the marvellous, 
was still easier to imagine, because it was seldom observed 
on the trees, except when thick clouds appeared in the 
air, during the hot weather of June and July. Honey-dew 
does not, however, proceed from that cause. The clouds 
do not concur in its production, except by the increase of 
heat which they cause, by reflecting the suns rays towards 
the earth. ‘The ordinary heats have no other effect, than 
to cause the most volatile juices of plants to transpire; 
whereas that heat which is raised to a higher degree, ex- 
presses from them the more fixed and viscous juices, such 
vas that of honey-dew. 
The strainers through which the honey-dew filters to the 
bottom of flowers, are more, and also larger, than those of 
leaves; inasmuch as there is always some of that juice, 
in the nectarine vase, so long as the plant flourishes, even 
in the season most unfavourable to transpiration. It has been 
F 2 
